Hi, My wife and I will be visiting The Pericles in Sami in July. This is our first time in Kefalonia (did Crete 2 years ago). Any tips on good restaurants (names?) and Car Hire much appreciated. A friend of mine said most of the cars on the road were hire cars driven by foreigners! Is this true? What are prices for eating out like? 95% of the comments appear positive so I am looking forward to the holiday even more!! :)
Thanks

Hi, thanks to all for your inside info :) Still looking forward to going. It's going to be a long week to countdown. Going on 4th July. Now what I need is for Greece to win Euro 2004 so the Greeks are in even higher spirits than usual :)

Hi all,
Just got back from Sami today after a two week stay. Here is my summary! Firstly the hotel is very pleasant and does what it says on the tin eg it's a 3 star hotel, and not a 5 star hotel. No fridges in rooms, but you can store medicenes in hotel fridge. The pool is large and well stocked with sun loungers (3 types in fact ranging from slightly uncomfortable to soft and spongy. The pool bar serves drinks all day from 9am-7pm. A 500ml beer will cost you 2.5 euros. A greek salad 4 euros etc. The views from the hotel are wonderful from all around. Mountains to the south and Sami bay and Ithaca to the north. The food in the hotel is fine. Not as exotic as the Tavernas in Sami, but very resonably priced. Main courses top out at 6 euros! The bar is small and functional, but the barman (Alex) is an absolute star. A consumate (25 years experience across the world)professional. He has a very easy going personality that makes everyone feel like they are a valued customer and that you have known him for years. Do chat to him and give the man respect. He very rarely gets a day off. Car rental starts at 170 euros for (3 days + 1 free inc ACon.) Sami town is not big by UK standards. A 15 minute walk from the hotel to the harbour. 20 mins to Sami's main "West Beach". There is about 10-15 Tavernas all with their own character. I would recommend Faros, The Mermaid, and Pizzera Teresa. Faros was the best for my money. Good meats. Cheap wine. Good service. The Tavernas all look out to sea and you can look out to sea while eating. Sunset is about 9.00 pm at present. AntiSamos beach about 4km from Sami is stunning. Crystal waters surrounded by green hills. Great snorkeling (loadsa fish of all sorts!). I didn't hire a car so taxied to AntiSamos. About 20 euros return journey and 8 euros for 2 sunloungers and umbrella. A bit pricey but the taxi is a Mercedes and I could eaily spend the same money in the UK in a pub and not visit a beautiful beach for my trouble! Not much shopping in Sami. A couple of good clean Supermarkets (small but well stocked). Usual tourist shops with hats and snorkels and tat. you know the kind of thing. Went on two Thomas Cook excursions. Saturday day cruise to Ithaca and East coast of Kef. (got jump off boat into crystal clear waters in two secluded bays, plus a 2 hours stop at Ithaca's Polis beach. The islands were in a middle of heatwave and temps reached 45C!!! on the boat that day so I was in that sea like a shot). Also did the Fiskardo by night tour which also takes you to Assos. All very stunning views, good food. 90 minutes in each location. Just had time to eat in Fiskardo. This is the play ground of the rich and famous. Leonardo Di Caprio, Tom Hanks, Sean Connery, and members of the Onassis dynasty were all sailing in the area and Fiskardo has seen all of them bob in and out as those types do.....Basically my wife and I had a very relaxing time. It is NOT party central. The pace is slow. If you need to unwind then this is gonna be good for you. Near the hotel there is a couple of donkeys and a barking alsation who will wake you up for free, but hey its their village not yours! The crickets are as loud as a hundred hair dryers but you get used to it very quickly. Lyndsey the tour rep is very funny. Laughs like Basil Brush and is a good egg. The staff at the hotel were quiet and helpful. What else can I say? The rooms are simple, but only need be used as a base really. Have a good time. Chill out and it will chill out with you....